Meet London Kim from London, who moved to LA (via NYC!) 12 years ago to pursue acting
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
I was in New York, fresh out of drama school, and had one year on an OPT visa. I decided to stay for six months and then try LA for the next six. In retrospect, six months isn’t enough time to accomplish much in either city, but I had one or two exciting gigs and met some lovely people.
What do you miss most from home?
Friends most of all. Almost everyone I knew stayed in England (and mostly in London, too) so that was hard. But I also miss excellent Indian and Nepalese food (especially Monty’s in Kingston-upon-Thames, although I also discovered Cricket on a recent visit!), as well as the deadpan humour.
What was your first impression of LA and has it changed since?
LA is still the weirdest place I have ever lived. I found it really difficult at first (and developed road rage for a bit). It took me maybe five years, but now I’m happy and settled here, and I love the food and the space and the general ease of life. I would struggle to live in London now.
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus London?
If, like me, being social and out-going doesn’t come naturally to you, LA can be a tough place at times, because you could feasibly go long stretches of time without having to interact with anyone if you don’t make the effort. It still amazes me how many cars you see with just one person in them. In any other place I’ve lived, you are forced to interact with strangers, on the bus or train, or just walking down the street, and that’s a good thing, and something I genuinely miss.
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
It’s a bit random, but I do quite like the public rooftop garden at Restoration Hardware in West Hollywood. Apart from the “modern hotel elevator music”, it’s a peaceful and quiet place, with a great view. And it’s free! And I don’t know if this is a hidden gem, but if you like fresh sashimi on rice, try A-Won restaurant in Koreatown. It comes in an enormous bowl which looks more like a trophy, which I suppose is appropriate if you can finish it!
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
It might take time to feel settled, because it doesn’t function like many other “cities”, but you can’t help but meet lots of amazing different people from all over the world here. There’s also incredible food here, with some of the best produce you’ll ever see.
Lots of our members join our group Brits in LA seeking out words of wisdom – what is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
“You’ll never accomplish more than 3 errands a day in LA.” Sad but true!
Lastly, how can we find out more about you? Are you working on anything at the moment?
I’m doing a play at the beginning of October, Harold Pinter’s “The Dumb Waiter”, and it’s a tiny production with the three of us involved running every aspect of it, so we would love to get as many people in as possible! We’ve set up a promo code for Brits in LA members, so please come and watch, and say hi after the show so I can thank you in person.
Tickets are available at: waiter.brownpapertickets.com/
Discount code for Brits in LA members: LABRITS
Thanks, and hope to see you there!
